The Future Factory, founded by Schaapkraal resident Anne Siroky, marked its 20th anniversary this year but instead of splashing out on a big celebration, funds were generated to feed the community.
Ms Siroky, 60, said the non-profit organisation, which believes in education through sports, continued “touching lives” during the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown.
Besides the 20th anniversary, Ms Siroky said a few members, including herself, had reached individual milestones that could not be celebrated the “normal” way.
Ms Siroky’s mother Rita Fransman , also a member of the organisation, turned 80 in July while director Jillian Alexander ’s grandmother, Marie Golding, will be turning 100 on December 31. “Both ardent supporters of our NPO,” said Ms Siroky.
Ms Siroky said this whole year’s events had involved memorable and meaningful connections with the people. She and Ms Alexander had to pull together all their contacts to help their 18 feeding scheme stations, which are across the Western Cape.
Ms Siroky was named the Shoprite Checkers SABC2 Woman of the Year for Sport in 2007.
She had played sport from the age of 9 and was a SA Volleyball champ.
She is a motivational speaker and also a volleyball, netball, swimming and basketball coach.
Ms Siroky said the many accolades in her life combined could not be greater than the significance of touching so many lives this year.
It started close to her 60th birthday on April 13 at the beginning of lockdown when she was approached by the community to donate Easter eggs.
She then decided to invest her birthday celebration funds into buying Easter eggs and feeding 850 people.
“This was just the start of many events, but what has become normal now is the Covid 19 pandemic. It made us all become more focused, driven and to get out of our normal routines and be still and listen more to God and the needs of our communities.
“My heart and inner self drove me to do a girl child project, seeing how the girls were lacking the necessities of toiletries. During Women’s Month, this project reached great heights and we collected over 400 gift bags for the project. We managed to support children’s homes, informal settlements, children with HIV/Aids, cancer patients and those at the feeding schemes.”
Another project, which was the brainchild of Ms Alexander, involved getting braai drums for feeding schemes.
“The idea was to have a ‘drum run’ project during Heritage Month (September) celebrations and it was another success story as we managed to have 15 drums donated to 15 different feeding schemes. The project is ongoing and we hope more donors and supporters would come on board to continue supporting the feeding schemes as the hunger is real.”
She said despite this year being different, it has not stopped them from doing what they do best, “that is helping all that came across our paths”.
They also support projects for childhood cancer and seniors, and had themes to inspire communities during the commemorative days this year.
Ms Siroky said the year of giving has not ended.
“Our Christmas day feeds is still happening and we are grateful to each one who came on board with their donations, and would like to highlight Children’s Helpers World Wide, Catherine Franks, as they never stopped believing and supporting us in this new normal. I also want to thank Abigail Ben-Yuda, Gary Gabriels, Peter and Anthea Barendse, and Robin and the Monkeys as well as Colleen Green. Many thanks to Rafiek Mammon and Gary Naidoo our productions company.”
Their annual fund-raising show has been postponed indefinitely due to a spike in Covid-19 infections in the city.
If anyone wants to donate towards the Christmas project, contact Ms Siroky on 081 327 5279 or visit www.thefuturefactory.co.za for more information.
